Ukraine Establishes Azov-Led Army Corps in Toretsk Sector

April 25, 2025

Title: Ukraine Sets Up Azov-Led Army Corps in Toretsk Sector
Content: Day 1157
So, on 24 April, there’s some interesting news from the Toretsk direction.
The Ukrainian high command, they finished making a new army corps led by the famous Azov Brigade. This corps is all about being effective in the frontline near Toretsk, so it’s a big roadblock for Russian plans and could really mess up their whole Donbas operation.
Screenshot from Reporting from Ukraine
The 12th Special Purpose Assault Brigade Azov, it’s been a big deal in Ukraine for some time. It started as a volunteer regiment in 2014 during the early days of the war in Donbas. Azov changed from a group of militia into one of the most disciplined and experienced brigades in Ukraine’s National Guard.
Screenshot from Reporting from Ukraine
They’ve got super motivated volunteers, big focus on taking initiative and sticking together, and they’re famous for how they defended Mariupol, especially during the siege of the Azovstal plant in 2022. Azov’s been all over the place in this war, and now, in a big move announced this month, they’re forming the 1st Army Corps of Ukraine.
This new unit, led by Colonel Denys “Redis” Prokopenko, is a big deal for Ukraine’s military. It’s got five brigades: the 12th Brigade “Azov,” the 1st Presidential Operational Brigade “Burevii,” the 14th Operational Brigade “Chervona Kalyna,” the 15th Operational Brigade “Kara-Dag,” and the 20th Operational Brigade “Lubart.”
Screenshot from Reporting from Ukraine
So, Azov’s got more responsibility now in one of the busiest combat areas in Donetsk. Ukraine’s putting some of its best commanders and soldiers in charge of a really important part of the eastern front. This is happening at a time when the Toretsk area is super volatile, and all the brigades joining this corps have already shown they can handle themselves in a fight.
Screenshot from Reporting from Ukraine
The 1st Presidential Operational Brigade “Burevii” defended Kyiv in 2022 and then held important lines in Bakhmut and the Kupiansk-Lyman axis.
The 14th Brigade “Chervona Kalyna” is good at urban warfare and knows how to work well with drones and artillery, moving through Kreminna, Svatove, and Bakhmut.
The 15th Brigade “Kara-Dag” stopped the Russians at Selydove and has been busy in the Zaporizhzhia sector.
The 20th Brigade “Lubart,” now a bigger part of Azov, has experience in stopping Russian advances and setting ambushes in wooded areas near Kupiansk and Siversk.
This mix of experience will help the 1st Azov Corps do some well-coordinated operations, whether they’re on the defense or going on the offense. Azov’s been a big help in stabilizing the Toretsk sector. Down south, they stopped the Russians at Niu-York and got Ukrainian forces out of a jam in the industrial zone. When the Russians got into Shcherbynivka, Azov went through building after building, pushing the Russian units back to Nelipivka. So now, Azov’s putting pressure on the Russian southern side of Toretsk, getting ready for Ukraine to make some moves.
Screenshot from Reporting from Ukraine
What makes this change into a corps even more important is the fighting happening in Toretsk itself. The Russian troops are in really tough close-quarters battles, using up tons of soldiers to hold their ground. By sending reserves meant for a summer campaign to Kostiantynivka early, Russia might be stretching themselves too thin.
This is a chance for the new corps, with more area to cover and more flexibility, to take advantage of the Russians being tired. Plus, Azov and the other brigades are great at changing tactics fast and know how to control city and semi-city areas, which gives Ukraine a good edge.
Screenshot from Reporting from Ukraine
So, by putting these elite brigades under one strong command, Ukraine is showing they want to have better control over experienced, high-performing units. Each brigade keeps its style but now has shared resources and leadership. It’s not just for show – this is a smart move to make the eastern front more stable. The goal is to stop and push back Russian advances, starting with Toretsk.
In our daily frontline report, we partner up with the military blogger Reporting from Ukraine to keep you up to date on what’s happening in the Russo-Ukrainian war.